Unpacking and setting up your bedwetting alarm is just the first step.
A commitment to using it consistently for (usually) at least two months – and sometimes longer – is essential.
Motivating and encouraging your child, no matter what age, to be consistent and confidently using the bedwetting alarm is critical.
Making them understand that this process is all for the greater good, and by eliminating bedwetting by using the alarm system a child should be constantly looking forward to the day that dry nights become the norm and his or her confidence can return – allowing your child to move on with life without the burden of enuresis.
We’re not spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting a bedwetting alarm.
No matter which one you do end up choosing, there are some universal tips, ideas and strategies that you can put into place to maximize the chance of your child making consistent progress towards becoming completely dry and putting bedwetting in the rear view mirror forever.
Follow the training program that comes with your bedwetting alarm
Not all alarms will have an associated training or progress program that you can access.
The most well known is the TheraPee system, but they are not the only company to offer guidance and support as well as a range of activities for children to stay interested and motivated over the weeks and potentially several months of using the bedwetting alarm.
TheraPee is still the most comprehensive online support system out of all the alarm products. Others that are well worth looking at include the new Night Ollie which comes with a booklet called Power To Me. The Chummie alarms can be used with a mobile app that provides live support as well as a collection of videos.
Although you don’t have to follow the programs, videos or progress tools that come with your alarm, and you can simply just use the physical alarm on its own, these systems are designed to speed up what is essentially a training process and are particularly useful for children who need some positive reinforcement and benefit from visually seeing that they are making progress towards becoming completely dry.
Reach out to the manufacturer
You might think the maker of your bedwetting alarm would be difficult to contact, or they just won’t reply if you reach out to ask for assistance.
While this can be the case (unfortunately) with some companies, there are several bedwetting alarm makers who are closely invested in maintaining a high quality customer support process.
They encourage users to reach out if you’re having not only technical difficulties with a bedwetting alarm, but need some guidance on getting better results from using it.
Attach the sensor under the pyjamas
Alarms that come with a small moisture sensor that need to be attached to your child to detect urine (which activates the alarm) must be posiitioned properly, or else the entire system won’t work and your child won’t be woken.
This is one of the most challenging parts of using an alarm (not all require these attached sensors, others may use a mat instead) and it can take a few nights until your child gets used to it being there. One mistake that’s too often made is this: parents or teens will attach the sensor outside of the pyjamas.
This isn’t adequate because the PJ’s are too much of a barrier and moisture won’t be detected by the sensor until there’s a lot of it (this means the pyjamas are soaked through – exactly what you’re trying to prevent).
Get your sensor placement right from the very first night. Depending on your child’s age you can:
- Place the sensor on the underwear under the pyjamas
- For your children who will wear diapers or pull-ups, place the sensor on underwear then put the pull-ups on top (don’t put the sensor outside pull-ups or diapers as moisture will not be detected).
- To hold the sensor in place you can use a light tape like the Chummie Flexitape.
If the sensor shifts too far out of position during the night, the alarm might not activate because moisture wasn’t detected.
For corded bedwetting alarms, run the cord under the pyjamas. Wireless alarms eliminate this need for a cord and can be more comfortable for some children.